Page 84 of Under Control

If I were a rational, normal person, I’d run screaming from here and never look back, except Ilikethis.

I like the power and the terror.

I want more of it, andthat’swhat I’m really afraid of.

Maybe I didn’t only inherit my family’s looks.

Maybe I inherited their ruthlessness.

Valentin gestures at Arsen while staring back at me. “This is the man that burned your mother’s house down. This is the man that left her for dead.”

My heart races into my throat. “You’re serious?”

“He hasn’t confessed yet, but I have good intel saying it was him. We’ll get him to talk, if that’s what you want.”

I stare at my husband. “If that’s… whatIwant? Why does what I want matter?”

“Because he is a gift to you.” Valentin walks to me. He strides and each step radiates a powerful energy. It courses into me, rocks me deep to my core. He puts his hands on my hips and leans forward to kiss me gently, and even though it’s horribly perverse, kissing me in front of our captive in a room designed for killing, I love him even more for it.

“I don’t want him,” I whisper, trembling, and lean forward to press my head against his chest. He’s warm and his heart is so steady like this is something he does all the time.

“I’m offering him to you for revenge. Kill him yourself if that will make you feel better. Order me to kill him instead if you can’t do it or if that won’t bring you peace. He’s yours, and I’m your instrument in this. Tell me what you want.”

I glance to the side. Arsen’s watching us with pure terror in his face. His mouth is pulled into what looks like an aborted scream, and he’s struggling against his bonds, but he can’t get loose.

I think about killing him. I picture what that would feel like.

But I’m not a murderer, and it would stay with me in a way it wouldn’t stay with Valentin.

“Keep him,” I say, looking back at my husband. “That’s what you want, right? He’s useful?”

“He’s useful,” Valentin confirms. “His father will likely want him back. He’s a bargaining chip. He can also be a trap.”

“Then keep him.”

“Are you sure?”

I stand on my toes and just barely reach his mouth with mine. “I’m sure. Thank you for the present.”

“You’re welcome,malishka.”

We kiss for another few seconds until Arsen’s voice ruins the moment.

“You two are sick,” he says, tone trembling. “You’re fucking sick. My father is going to kill you both, you sick, twisted fucking psychopaths.”

Valentin sighs and pats my ass. “Go now,” he says, turning to face my cousin. “I have work to do.” He walks to the table and picks up a wicked-looking knife.

“What are you going to do?” I ask him, genuinely curious.

“I’m going to ask him questions. He’s going to answer truthfully, and if I don’t believe him, I’m going to hurt him. We’ll be busy for a while.”

“Wait,” Arsen says, staring at me. “Wait, Karine. Hold on. Please, don’t let him do this. We’re family, right?”

I feel my expression flatten as I look at my cousin.

“You tried to kill your own aunt,” I tell him. “Valentin’s all the family I need now.”

“No!” Arsen wails as I walk back through the plastic. “No, Karine, please! Come back, don’t let him do this. Don’t let him do this!”

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